Today was the day, the day everything would change for the Apples; one of their own would venture off to unknown lands and leave them by their lonesome. It wasn’t a completely foreign concept to the Apple Family, especially to the Apple Family at large.
But the difference being that one Apple would be taken from the bushel, taken from the bundle, if you will. But all of them put on a brave face for Twilight; it wasn’t her fault it was like this, and it wasn’t the first time this family had to deal with significant changes. But it didn’t make it any less painful.
“More eggs, Twilight?” Offered Applebloom.
“Please!” nodded Twilight as she moved her plate toward Applebloom with her magic.
Good manners, just as Applejack had taught her, and she hadn’t forgotten to give a polite smile to their guest. Each minute was more agonizing than the last; every second passed was another moment closer to when Applejack would leave.
“May I be excused?” Applebloom quietly asked; she wasn’t that hungry; how could she? Today had her stomach in knots.
“Sure thing, sugar cube, be sure to wash your plate.” Pressed Applejack.
“Yes, ma’am…” Murmured Applebloom, as she washed her plate, Granny Smith playfully nudged her, “Put some more pep in yer step, youngin!” chortled Granny.
Applebloom frowned, giving her elder a sorrowful gaze; Granny paused, looking over to make sure Twilight wasn’t in earshot, “Listen, I know it’s not easy, but you need to get anything and everything off your chest less you miss your chance to speak yer piece.”
“Okay…Granny?”
“Yes, dearie?”
“Are you worried about Applejack too?” Applebloom said as she looked up toward the older mare.
“Applejack has her wits about her; she’s strong and has her friends by her side. I couldn’t ask for better folk to watch her, but I can’t help but worry."
The young filly sighed, “I guess you’re right, but when’s the right time to talk to her?”
“When you got your thoughts altogether, you don’t wanna come up to her when you’re weak in the knees and spewing non-sense, right Big Mac?”
Big Mac looked over from the sink and nodded, “Yup.”
Applebloom looked over to Big Mac, “Are you worried, Big Mac?”
The older stallion took a deep breath, “Yup….”
Applebloom couldn’t help but smile; knowing that her older brother was just as nervous and uneasy made the pain a little more bearable. “Thank y’all; I’ll be sure to talk to her then.”
The young filly walked toward Applejack’s room; she could hear a pleasant hum from Twilight from the guest room and Spike’s nasally singing paired with a loud sneeze from the bathroom. If it weren’t for the circumstances, she wouldn’t of minded having Twilight and Spike around the house. They made lovely additions to the home.
Applebloom approached Applejack’s bedroom door, giving it a firm knock with her left front hoof.
“Come in!” Called Applejack.
Applebloom pushed the door open before stepping inside; she took one last look inside Applejack’s room. She took a mental image of Applejack's room with her things. Applejack quickly packed her essentials, lassos, and a few family photos before turning to face Applebloom.
“Good morning, sugar cube; I noticed you didn’t eat much breakfast today. Is something wrong?” Applejack fretted as she slowly turned to face the younger filly fully before she’d lean in and examine her, “You’re not under that spell still, are you?”
Applebloom smiled as she playfully scoffed, “No, I’m fine…. I’m just worried about you; we all are!.... Why do you have to go?” Pleaded Applebloom as her expression soured like milk.
Applejack took a deep breath as she sat down on the bed and patted her hoof next to her. Applebloom slowly climbed up and sat next to her older sister, “Applebloom, we need to have ‘the talk,’ now I know you’re a bit young, but it’s time you learn about the responsibility we Apples have.”
She’d quickly fish out a few photos from her bag as she laid them out for Applebloom to see, “You know that Granny’s folks helped build the Orchard heck, they’re responsible for building Ponyville as we know it and let me tell ya building up this Orchard and the town wasn’t easy for them.” She said as she gestured to their great grandparents, gently tapping the glass frame with her hoof.
“I know,” sighed Applebloom, “I know that I should be thankful that we don’t have to work as hard as they did, but it’s not about working, Applejack; it’s about not never seeing you again,” Applebloom admitted as she bowed her head.
Applejack paused as she slowly collected her thoughts; the older mare looked down at Applebloom, “Applebloom, I know it won’t be easy, but you’re as tough as they come. I promise I’ll return as quickly as possible and in one piece.” She’d shove dApplebloom playfully as she winked at her.
Applebloom chuckled as she smiled, “Okay…but I’m holding you to that promise!”
“I wouldn’t have expected anything less than that.” Smiled Applejack.
A few hours passed, and despite the talk with Applejack, Applebloom still felt uneasy, a weight that sunk into her stomach that she just couldn’t shake off. Applebloom sighed; her train of thought was interrupted by Twilight’s frantic pacing.
“Books, check, gear check, Spike?”
Spike let out a thundering sneeze from the other room, “Check, check, check!” She’d quickly look over to Applebloom, “Applebloom, I haven’t seen you since breakfast. Is everything alright?”
Applebloom quickly put on her best smile for Twilight, “Yeah, just a bit drowsy,” she’d let out a forced yawn.
Twilight gently rubbed Applebloom’s head, “Well, maybe you'll find some time to take a nap today, now….what else do I need….” The Alicorn quickly turned to her saddlebags and wares as she began mumbling to herself.
Applebloom turned away from Twilight before she went to check on Applejack, who was with the other members of the Apple family, “Write a letter to our extended family; maybe we could find someone to help the Orchard while I’m gone.” Suggested Applejack.
“Horse-feathers!” Scoffed Granny Smith, “We can take care of the Orchard ourselves!”
“Yup.” Nodded Big Mac.
“Come on, y’all, don’t let our pride blind us from a good harvest. Will y’all promise me to ask for help if you need it?” Pleaded Applejack as she gazed at the older ponies with her puppy-dog eyes.
Granny sighed, “Fine, we’ll let you know if anything comes up. In exchange, you’ll write to us once in a while!”
Applejack smiled, “I was planning on doing that anyway.” She’d wrap her front legs around Granny and Big Mac, squeezing them tightly as she sighed, “I’m going to miss y’all.”
“Ahem.” Coughed Applebloom.
Applejack turned around, playfully roughing up Applebloom’s hair, “You too, sugar cube.”
“Got everything together Applejack?” Chimed Twilight as she approached the group with Spike.
Applejack approached Twilight, “Er, sugar cube? I’m going to talk to Applebloom. I’ll catch up with you.”
Twilight slowly turned around as she hoisted her saddlebags over her back, “Sure thing Applejack, come on, Spike, let’s not keep the others waiting; we got a big day ahead of us. We’ll be going to your favorite place.”
“Heh, I am rather popular with the locals, aren’t I?” nudged Spike as he flashed a toothy smile at Twilight.
Twilight shook her head as she playfully rolled her eyes and soon departed toward the train station.
Applejack turned to Applebloom, “I want you to have something, hold still.”
Applejack used her teeth to carefully remove the bow from Applebloom’s mane before carefully tying the bow around the brim of her hat. The process proved to be arduous without magic or claws. But she managed.
Carefully placing the hat on Appleblooms head, the young filly looked at Applejack with confusion, “What are you doing? This is your hat!”
“I know; I want you to take care of it while I’m gone; that way you’ll always got a piece of daddy and me. Whenever you’re alone or feeling down, take off your hat and look at it; remember that we’ll always be with you.”
Applebloom quickly grappled Applejack as she clung to her older sister tightly, “I’ll take good care of it, I promise.” Applebloom said as she desperately fought off the tears, threatening to escape her eyes.
Applejack looked down at the young filly before shoving the hat to the top of her head, “I know you will….shoot I gotta go, I’m gonna be late for the train!” She’d give Applebloom, one last squeeze before galloping out the door.
“Take care of the Orchard while I’m gone y’all!”
“We will!” Squawked Granny, “Be sure to get us some souvenirs!”
Big Mac erupted into tears as he began sobbing, and as he waved goodbye, Applebloom took from her brother before bursting into tears herself. Granny Smith sighed, “Oh come now you big babies, if you don’t stop yer bellyaching….I might cry myself!”